The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-03-03

ESCaQIOOk1tWlG1 lll0[ C&tlllAilSs9S VI oSoPesA4'
Maud declined tosscommit herself prena7S
turely.
/, ssMaud," said her mother, 'sit's down
at the piazza window. It's-it's a con-
federate of that man in therel Oh, don t
tell mel I IknowI'
Maud frowned thoughtully. Her
nother's idea seemed only toe. plausible.
DS SHe'u lget.in and let the other one out, -
iDiifSued u Mrs. Essabrook, b1eathlessly,i
ssand then. they'll go through the house
and rob and murder US all. Oh, dear!
Oh-h!''
ssDon,t, inaiamma,2 . tleasf pray DON'T"
entreated Maud, as the poor lady, over
wheImed by her own picture, showed
signs of becoming hysterical, and uttered
several small screams. Upon this the oc-
cupant of the next room, who hitherto
had given no sign Of life, began to knock
on the door between the two chambers.
Maud drew near, and the following con-
versation took place: -
---tsaa aafiss Estabrook!''
sYes.n .y,.-,.>r:
fExcuse me, butts anything Wronga" !.
Maud hesitated. Mrs. Estabrook mean
time had checked herself, and was hold
ing her breath to listen. Receiving no
answer, he presently spoke again.
ssWhat is that noise hear down stairs?"
ssWe don't know" said Maud; ssbutoT
3 3 qB whats Is that what is alarming
Maud considered. eve are afraid it is
"a BURGLAR 5-i1-i -->f-!s : .
.sWhat! Anothere'' exclaimed the stran-
ger 50 Then be checked himself. stDon't
You think you'd better send me to dispose
of hin?! he suggested, with. an admirable
assumption of the boldness of innocence.
'sAlaudr' sharply protested Mrs. Esta-
brook.
Conc moment, mamma" rejoined her
daughter, Il am, not sure.'' She turned
to the sidoor again. ssYou are quite GER
tain he is not amman assistant Of
yoursP' she asked in the politest terms
she could select. .xer.-
'Let me. cut and you lhhall see. Upon
my honor''- Here the words were lost
in d stiHed sound sH'f 90
.!.Is the man laughingSn demanded Mrs.
EStabrook in angry amaze; then, as new
suspicion entered; her mind: "Maud, do
you believe he is, exactly in his right
mind?'' =
sI don't think ne can be-" Maud an
swered doubtfully; but seeing her mothers
growing alarm she hastened to add: "But
we evidently have ID certain control over
him, and-really, mamma, I don't know
but itwuuld d be betterto let him drivc the
other away. No, but hear me out. They
can't be accompGces, and if we must be in
the power Of either, why, would much
sooner trust this one. He is far superior
to ordinary burglars" concluded Maud,
with fine air Of connoisseurshlp In this
particular branch of the dangerous classes.
Her opinion, as usual, prevailed, and
their prisoner was informed that II hs
would not move until given time he
would be released. AS he readily agreed
to the conditions the girl stole out into the
passage, turned the key very softly, and
then flew back into her own room, which
she locked in hot haste. Here she knocked
on the inner door, and at the appointed
sign. heard the young man dash through
the corridor and down stairs. There was
sound Of rattlng glass, an alteration OF
voices, a pistol shot and then o br1ef
period of suspense, during which the
hearts of the two women stood still. linen
steps returned along the passage, crossed
through the next room, and stopped be-
side the door Of communication, where
rap resounded.
ssMiss Estabrook, have come back" +"
said quiet voice.
"And the-the mani" asked Maud,
breathlessly. S,..
"Oh, + fancy he'll give yon no more
trouble. Judging from the groan I heard
as he beat retreat he won't feel in spirits
for any more of this business tonight
stWe-we are very much obliged to
you,'' stammered Maud, rather at a loss
what to say under the circumstances.
ssNot at all. 1t was pleasure to me.
He was infringing on my rights, you
know"
Silence followed, broken by another rap.
ssMiss Estabrook, am waiting to be
locked in again.
"Do you really mean''- began Maud.
"Certainly. must insist, If you please.
I'll stay here till you give me the word"
tsBe quick Maud" whispered Mrs.
Estabrook, very distrustful of this ex-
traordinary burglar. .sThe man is either
criminal or O lunatic. Run and turn
the key, child, before he changes his
mind"
Thus urged, the girl made another
sortie. Once more the key clicked in the
lock, their prisoner was heard to cross the
! floor, and then all was silence again.
Not for long, however. Suddenly there
; was confused cla1nor at the outside
: door, while the bell pcaled loudly through
the house. Maud and her mother sprang
up and faced each other.
''That man back again?n faltered Mrs.
Estabrook.
s'Oh, mamma, nor' said Maud, reas-
suringly. ga burglar would never ring
the bell. Why, it's Tom!' she cried,
with sudden conviction. ''It's my brother
come <hone,'' she repeated, as q voice
from the next, room was heard, with re-
newed proffers, of assistance.
Tom it was, indeed, and very anxious
about the safety Of the household. AS
the brother and sister met in the gray OF
the early,daYn, le hastily explained how,
having Hedefn To- see amelia, she had
given him no peace until he promised to
ratl,rn at once to The WILLOWS; how he